ArticlesPresidential Health Summit Focuses on NHI

The outcomes of the recently completed Presidential Health Summit will be used to dramatically improve the health system in preparation for the implementation of National Health Insurance (NHI).

The deputy president, David Mabuza, revealed this during closing remarks at the Summit.

He added that the Summit had reinforced government’s belief that an “integrated, multi-sectoral approach that draws on the capabilities and resources of all social partners is pivotal to realise the Constitutional right of universal access to health care services”.

The deputy president also indicated that government needed to “develop a sustainable financing model for our health system”.

National treasury will ensure that the model is finalised within a short space of time.

“As we lay a solid foundation for the implementation of the NHI, government will prioritise the upgrading and maintenance of health infrastructure to deal with the challenges of ageing and dilapidated infrastructure.”

The licensing of all health facilities will be fast-tracked in readiness for implementation of the NHI.

Speaking earlier at the Summit, the deputy president pointed out that there is currently inadequate regulation of the private and public sectors in terms of quality of care.

“As we plan to introduce NHI in a phased approach from 2019, we need to incrementally accredit the health facilities to meet the standards set by the Office of Health Standards Compliance.”